I am nearing exchange of contracts for my home in Chelsfield and the estate agent has just telephoned to advise that the purchasers are appointing a new property lawyer. The excuse is that the lender will only work with solicitors on their approved list. On what basis would a major lender only deal with specific lawyers rather the firm that they want to appoint to handle their conveyancing in Chelsfield ?
Lenders have always had panels of law firms that can represent them, but in recent years big names such as HSBC, have considered and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have acted for them for more than 25 years.
Mortgage companies blame a rise in fraud by way of justification for the cull – criteria have been stiffened as a smaller panel is easier to monitor. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says it is hearing daily from firms that have been removed from panels. Some do not even realise they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyers' case. Your purchasers are not going to have any sway in the decision.
I am acquiring a house mortgage free in Chelsfield. I have lived for the last 20 years in Chelsfield. Conveyancing searches are expensive. Given that I have knowledge of the area and road intimately should I not bother getting the solicitor to do all the conveyancing searches?
Provided that you do not need a mortgage, then the vast majority of the Chelsfield conveyancing searches are optional. Your conveyancer will try and sway you, perhaps strongly, that you should have searches done, but she has a professional duty to take that path of encouragement . Do consider; if you are intend to dispose of the house in the future, it will be of relevance to your future purchaser what the searches disclose. There are plenty of instances where properties with no practical issues can still show up unfavourable search results. A competent conveyancing solicitor in Chelsfield should be able to give you some constructive advice here.
My wife and I have recently appointed a conveyancing solicitor in Chelsfield. I I am struggling to find out if they are accepted on the Leeds Building Society approved list of lawyers. Can you assist?
The first thing you should do is call the solicitor and enquire whether they are on the lender panel. Otherwise please call Leeds Building Society who may be able to assist.
I require expedited conveyancing in Chelsfield as I am faced with pressure to complete within one month. Fortunately I do not require a mortgage. Is it possible to decline from having conveyancing searches to save money and time?
As you are not getting a home loan you are at free not to have searches carried out although no lawyer would advise that you don't. Drawing on years of experience of conveyancing in Chelsfield the following are instances of what can show up and therefore affect future mortgageability: Enforcement Actions, Outstanding Fees, Outstanding Grants, Unadopted Roads,...
I am looking for a leasehold apartment up to £305k and found one near me in Chelsfield I like with a park and transport links nearby, however it only has 61 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Chelsfield for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a short lease?
If you require a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term may be an issue. Reduce the offer by the expected lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for a minimum of 2 years you could ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer concerning this.
Taking into account that I am about to part with over three hundred thousand on a house in Chelsfield I wish to talk to a solicitor about myhome move prior to giving the go ahead to the firm. Can this be arranged?
Absolutely - we would be pleased to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you first talking to the lawyer who will be conducting your conveyancing in Chelsfield.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - every client is an important individual, not a matter reference. The solicitors that we put you in touch with believe that the figure you are quoted for your conveyancing in Chelsfield should be the amount on the final invoice that you are charged.